ASVAB Scoring

When one has to appear for an exam, it is
necessary to understand it's purpose, how it is styled, what the
questions are and how it
is scored. Scoring of an exam is particularly important to set targets
for yourself and work towards those. Preparing for an exam without any
set targets in mind is like shooting arrows in the air. You fail to put
in efforts enough to bear results and before you realize where you went
wrong, it is too late. When you have a score target in mind, you
concentrate on achieving it. While you study and take practice tests,
the target score is what limits your efforts and achieving it gives you
satisfaction. If you do not achieve the score during practice, you work
harder to achieve it. Moreover, if you set a high target for yourself,
you shall strive to achieve it despite your shortcomings. On the other
hand, if you do not set a target, you might not even work up to your
full potential by having a relaxed attitude. Hence, it is very
important to understand the scoring of ASVAB for achieving success in
it.

ASVAB Subtests

The subtests of ASVAB are listed below. Each subtest contains different
number of questions and has different time limits for the paper based
and computer based versions of the exam.

General Science (GS)

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)

Word Knowledge (WK)

Paragraph Comprehension (PC)

Mathematics Knowledge (MK)

Electronics Information (EI)

Auto Information (AI)

Shop Information (SI)

Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

Assembling Objects (AO)

The AI and SI subtests are combined as one Auto and Shop Information
(AS) in the paper based version. The subtests are scored separately and
the scores are combined in different manners for different purposes.

ASVAB Scores
Through a statistical procedure called equating, the scores of ASVAB
are balanced across different test forms and methods of administration.
Hence, all the scores hold the same meaning, irrespective of how the
test is taken. The following scores are reported for the military
entrance test.
Standard Scores:
These scores are reported for each ASVAB subtest. Standard Scores are
scores relative to a national sample of test takers aged between 18 and
23. The Standard score generally achieved by 50% of test takers is 50
and that achieved by 16% of test takers is 60.
AFQT Scores:
These are Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) scores that are
calculated and reported as percentiles ranging from 1 to 99. They are
computed on the basis of four subtests

Arithmetic Reasoning

Mathematics Knowledge

Paragraph Comprehension

Word Knowledge

Since these are percentile scores, they are representative of your
performance relative to the performance of a sample group. A study was
conducted in 1997 for setting norming standards for calculation of AFQT
scores. The sample consisted of 6000 American 18-23 year old youth. If
you obtain an AFQT score of 85%, it shows that you have scored better
than 85% of the participants of the study.
Composite Scores:
These are scores obtained by combining different Standard Scores. The
Composite Scores are used for different purposes and are computed using
fixed rules or formulas.

How are ASVAB Scores Used?
The scores obtained in the exam are used for the following purposes.

Enlistment Eligibility

The AFQT scores are used to determine the eligibility of a candidate
for military jobs and scoring requirements vary for different Services.
The categories of AFQT scores according to the percentile ranges are as
follows
Category Percentile Score Range
I
93-99
II 65-92
IIIA 50-64
IIIB 31-49
IV 10-30
V 1-9
Those who score in AFQT score category IIIA or higher are eligible for
enlistment opportunities. The overall ASVAB qualifying score is 36 if
you receive your education from a high school and 65 if you have a GED
(General Educational Development) degree.

Assignment of Military Jobs

A process called classification is used to assign military jobs. The
ASVAB scores are used to enable each applicant to obtain the job best
suited to his capabilities and for meeting the requirement of filling
the correct job option with the most suitable candidate.
For
matching the capabilities of applicants with the requirements of
different jobs, composite scores of different subtests are used. The
subtests are considered according to the different demands of diverse
Services and each Service authenticates the set of subtests best suited
for the corresponding professional demands.
For instance, Air Force considers four composite scores based on set computational formulas.

Mechanical AR+2(PC+WK)+MC+AS

Administrative
2(PC+WK)+MK

General
2(PC+WK)+AR

Electronic
AR+MK+EI+GS

For each of the following composite scores as well, there is a formula.
The Army Composite Scores are General Technical, Clerical, Combat,
Electronics Repair, Field Artillery, General Maintenance, Mechanical
Maintenance, Operators/Food, Surveillance/Communication and Skilled
Technician.
The Marine Corps Composite Scores are Mechanical, Clerical, General Technician and Electrical.
The Navy Composite Scores are General Technician, Electronics, Basic
Electricity and Electronics, Engineering, Mechanical1, Mechanical2,
Nuclear, Operations, Hospitalman and Administrative.

Career Exploration Aid

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is meant to help students
understand civilian and military professional characteristics. It helps
them in self-assessment and understanding how fit they are for
different professions. Hence, the program guides students to choose a
profession that is best suited to their abilities.
Eight
subtests are administered under this program; the Assembling Objects
subtest is not administered. Three composite scores known as Career
Exploration Scores are reported. These are

Verbal Skills

Math Skills

Science and Technical Skills

An ASVAB Summary Results sheet is made available to students and
counselors for understanding scores better. The Career Exploration
Scores, Standard Scores and score bands are reported in this Summary
Result sheet. It also contains explanations of the scores and how they
can be used.

Retesting
You
can take a retest if you wish to do so due to any reason. The condition
on the first and second retests is that each can be taken after a
minimum time of one month after the preceding test. The third retest
and any subsequent retest can be taken after a minimum gap of six
months. This is applicable to both the student test and the enlistment
test under the Career Exploration Program and Enlistment Testing
Program respectively.
Retesting is not easy; studying the same syllabus the second time
around can be tedious and requires a lot of motivation. Besides, you
shall have to wait for long before you can take your third retest.
Hence, you should put your best foot forward in the initial attempts
itself.

How to Obtain the Maximum Possible Score
For obtaining the maximum possible score, you need to be systematic in
your approach. The first and foremost requirement of preparation is
understanding the details of the exam. You should then contact your
recruiter to clarify any doubts you have and to check the other
eligibility criteria. Only after these initial steps should you go
ahead with preparation. Learn about the exam pattern and the score
required for your choice of profession. This shall make you more
focused and hence you shall prepare better. Going ahead with
preparation without these preliminary steps shall be imprudent.

Conclusion
Obtaining a high score shall place you in a position in which you can
make your own decisions and join the Service of your choice.
On the other hand, if you score low, you are left at the mercy of
others to make decisions about your future. It shall only be in your
best interest to motivate yourself to prepare well for the exam.